'What's Happening!!' star inspires; businesses honored for hiring disabled

A child TV celebrity, record attendance and 22 business award winners were the highlights of Wednesday's National Disability Employment Awareness Month Awards at Poughkeepsie's Mid-Hudson Civic Center.

The breakfast was held by the Mid-Hudson Employment Alliance to honor employers who integrate people with special abilities into their work forces. In addition to 20 local businesses, two regional winners were recognized — Walgreens in Poughkeepsie and Enterprise Process Services Inc. in Fishkill.

Delivering the inspirational address was Danielle Spencer-Fields, who played Dee on the 1970s TV show "What's Happening!!"

"I am disabled," she told the audience. "I remember the date exactly. It was April 11, (2004)."

At first, the actor-turned-veterinarian thought the pain and numbness in her legs would pass and she would be back to work. But after back surgery that temporarily paralyzed her, she became depressed and questioned her life.

"I thought, 'How will I be a vet?' 'How will I be a wife?' " she said.

Spencer-Fields said her turning point came when she realized "I still had my mind and that's all I really needed." With extensive physical therapy, she was able to walk and work again, and now speaks to others with disabilities, telling them, "If you are going through a struggle … think about how you can help others."

Elizabeth Brito-Rodriguez is manager of Fishkill's Enterprise Process Services office, which employs two workers with disabilities out of a total of six said.

"I believe in all people being given the opportunity to develop their God-given talents," she said.

Bruce Solomkin, the mid-Hudson manager for Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, said that in his district, 1,060 people with disabilities were hired this fiscal year ending Sept. 30, an 8 percent increase in employment outcomes over the past fiscal year.

Reach Sarah Bradshaw at sbradshaw@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4811.

Employers Recognize Untapped Talent in the Workforce

October is National Disability Employment Month. This observance has been in place since 1988 to educate the American public concerning issues related to disabilities and employment opportunities.

President Obama released a proclamation earlier in the month stating, "During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we renew our focus on improving employment opportunities and career pathways that lead to good jobs and sound economic futures for people with disabilities."

What makes this October even more significant is that it comes during the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA has made positive differences both in the workplace as well as society in general. For example, the introduction of entrance ramps, automatic doors, and curb cuts all came as a result of the ADA.. However, during a time when the national unemployment rate is on the rise, so too is that of those with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is higher than that of the population as a whole at 16.4% & 9.5% respectively. Many job candidates have degrees and skills but still have difficulties because there is still a stigma in the workplace.

On a positive note, Alternatives, Inc. is doing its part to remove the stigma and improve the employment statistics of people with disabilities through their subsidiary, Bridges to Employment. Bridges offers services to both prospective employees looking for work as well as employers looking for talent. The journey begins with pre-employment evaluation and preparation and goes through job matching and culminates in on-going support once a match is made. They also strive to educate employers to increase understanding of hiring people disabilities.

"We have helped hundreds of people with barriers to employment reach their personal and professional goals as a result of our services. After all, meaningful and gainful work is vital for so many of us. At the same time, we are committed to helping companies large and small satisfy their business needs," says Glori Bine-Callagy, Director of Bridges to Employment.

A new venture to create more awareness of Bridges to Employment's mission is a retail clothing store that will sell new and used clothing and jewelry, that will see its grand opening by the year's end. The store, which will be called "It's all good" will be located on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Somerville. This venture is made possible through a SEED grant from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and will allow those with disabilities to prepare for the workforce through job sampling and training.

This milestone month also comes one year after Alternatives, Inc. launched The Bridges to Employment Career Development Center. The Center provides vocational assessment, job preparation and help with finding appropriate employment opportunities that match the skills and abilities of Central Jersey residents with varying degrees of hearing loss. The Center also houses one of the five Demonstration Centers in the state for the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) where people with hearing loss can learn about the variety of assistive technology options available to them.

Services through the CDC are available to residents of Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

For more information about Bridges to Employment or to learn how to donate new and used merchandise to the store, please contact Glori Bine-Callagy at 908- 685-1444 ext. 225/VP: (866) 971-9542 or visit www.bridgestoemployment.com. Based in Raritan, Alternatives provides residential, employment, and support services for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and other special needs. For information on Alternatives, please call 908-685-1444 or visitwww.alternativesinc.org.

DART Recognized as Part of Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Ruth Justis

Daily Independent

In recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Ridgecrest City Council awarded a proclamation to Desert Area Resources and Training for its Ability One Program. Ability One allows persons who are blind or severely disabled to work in private and public employment settings, where they can receive good wages and benefits, gain greater independence and quality of life, and help support their families.

Nationwide, Ability One employs 40,000 blind or disabled people. DART has 74 clients working in the local Ability One program.

Traditionally, people with disabilities face a 60 percent unemployment rate, forcing them to rely heavily on social support services. Engaging them in the workforce not only relieves stress on support services, but allows them to enjoy participation in the community, develop skills for long-term employment, build self-esteem, and lead more productive and meaningful lives.

With supervision, DART clients are able to learn many tasks. They successfully stock shelves at the base commissary, clean and maintain highway rest areas, work in lawn and landscape maintenance, shred documents, and man the DART thrift store. DART staff members are constantly on the lookout for other repetitive jobs that their clients might learn to do.

“Our clients are happy to be working,” said DART CEO Jinny DeAngelis. “Typically, they have a much better attendance record and a better attitude on the job than many other employees. We are very proud of our clients and all that they have achieved.”

Copyright 2010 Ridgecrest Daily Independent. Some rights reserved.

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NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2010

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2010- - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATION

As Americans, we understand employment and economic security are critical to fulfilling our hopes and aspirations. We also know we are stronger when our country and economy can benefit from the skills and talents of all our citizens. No individual in our Nation should face unnecessary barriers to success, and no American with a disability should be limited in his or her desire to work. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we renew our focus on improving employment opportunities and career pathways that lead to good jobs and sound economic futures for people with disabilities. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights legislation that established a foundation of justice and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. In the two decades since its passage, much progress has been made. However, Americans with disabilities continue to be employed at a rate far below Americans without disabilities, and they are underrepresented in our Federal workforce.

My Administration is committed to ensuring people living with disabilities have fair access to jobs so they can contribute to our economy and realize their dreams. To help achieve this goal, I signed an Executive Order in July to increase Federal employment of individuals with disabilities. This directive requires Federal agencies to design model recruitment and hiring strategies for people with disabilities, and to implement programs to retain these public servants. To ensure transparency and accountability, agencies will report on their progress on hiring people with disabilities, and the Office of Personnel Management will post the results of agencies' efforts online for public evaluation. As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government can become a model employer by increasing employment across America of individuals with disabilities.

The 21st-century economy demands a highly educated workforce equipped with the technology and skills to maintain America's leadership in the global marketplace. Technology has changed the way we work, and the Federal Government is leveraging emerging, assistive, and other workplace technologies to improve the options available for everyone, including workers more with disabilities. We must improve the accessibility of our workplaces and enable the collaboration and contributions of every employee, and that is why I look forward to signing into law the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. This legislation will greatly increase access to technology, with advances in areas such as closed captioning, delivery of emergency information, video description, and other advanced communications -- all essential tools for learning and working in today's technological society. Individuals with disabilities are a vital and dynamic part of our Nation, and their contributions have impacted countless lives. People with disabilities bring immeasurable value to our workplaces, and we will continue to address the challenges to employment that must be overcome. This month, let us rededicate ourselves to fostering equal access and fair opportunity in our labor force, and to capitalizing on the talent, skills, and rich diversity of all our workers.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to embrace the unique value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote everyone's right to employment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten,and of the Independence of the United States of America thetwo hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA